The Future of Consumerist

Over the last twelve years, Consumerist has been a steadfast proponent and voice on behalf of consumers, from exposing shady practices by secretive cable companies to pushing for action against dodgy payday lenders. Now, we’re joining forces with Consumer Reports, our parent organization, to cultivate the next generation of consumer advocacy.

Stay tuned as Consumerist’s current and future content finds its home as a part of the Consumer Reports brand. In the meantime, you can access existing Consumerist content below, and we encourage you to visit Consumer Reports to read the latest consumer news.

Black Friday? That is so 2010! The drive of rival retailers wanting to get the jump on you getting the jump on post-Thanksgiving holiday sales has resulted in a new sleep-defying ritual of shopping insanity known as “Black Midnight.”

No longer content with the program of opening doors at say, 4, 5 or even 6 a.m., the Wall Street Journal reports that some retailers are starting a new tradition of welcoming customers in at midnight on Black Friday.

If the idea of stuffing your face with turkey all day and then heading out to tussle with a stranger of a flat-screen TV sounds exhausting to you, well, you’re not alone!

Best Buy Chief Executive Brian Dunn, said he felt forced to “make a very difficult decision” and open at midnight because rival retailers were doing so, though the decision was controversial inside the company.

“I feel terrible,” said Mr. Dunn, who was once a store manager, speaking during a conference in San Francisco. “It will change some Thanksgiving plans for our employees. It certainly changes mine.”

On the bright side, this could cut down on the necessity (?) of camping out for the night before stores open. Just chug some caffeine after that third serving of pie and you should be able to wrest a BluRay player from the arms of another.